Solstice Dream

by Alexis Daria

Two people dreaming of love find their wishes granted on the longest day of the year.

Emma Reyes has it bad for Logan Argento, the single dad next door. When he asks her to host his daughter’s witch-themed birthday party, Emma leaps at the chance to help. She’s been looking to shake up her usual Summer Solstice celebration, and this might be just what she needs. Because little does Logan know, Emma is a real witch pretending to be a regular person pretending to be a fake witch. Emma dreams of finding true love, but so far, her magical secret has made relationships impossible. Could Logan be the one to break her dry spell?

*This is an 8,000-word sweet paranormal romance short story released for free to the author's newsletter subscribers.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary Romance

35 pages, ebook

First published June 17, 2020

About the author

Alexis Daria writes stories about successful Latinx characters and their (occasionally messy) familias. You Had Me at Hola, the first book in her Primas of Power series, is a national bestseller. Alexis is a lifelong New Yorker who loves Broadway musicals and pizza.

Reviews

[aarya · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo: ‪Midsummer Ball

Difficult to get invested in a romantic arc when it’s a 8K short story, but this is cute! I would 100% read a full-length witchy PNR rom-com if Daria ever decided to write one.

Free short story via author newsletter.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really, my only complaint here is that the author hasn't written a full length work in this universe because I LOVED it.

Read for The Ripped Bodice Bingo 2020 square: A Midsummer Ball

[Cait · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ripped Bodice Bingo 2020: Midsummer Ball

My only regret with this is that it wasn't longer.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little story. I want a full length one now.

[Kazen · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Daria backlist is dwindling so I've been holding into this short story, but late June is the perfect time to read it. The story is sweet with a touch of witchy magic, and a reminder of what I like about Daria's writing in the leadup to her next release.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Safe to say it’s hard to fully get invested in the *romantic* aspect because it’s such a short story, but that being said, I based a lot of my 5 star review on the feelings I experienced while reading. This short story excelled in creating an atmosphere so rich and vibrant that it hooked me immediately. All of the details of Emma and her craft were beautifully written, her confidence was infectious & I was rooting for her. I’d LOVE to read an entire book (even series) set in Bruja Cove and maybe get more of Emma’s story, even seeing new faces. The culture, the craft, the characters - they’re itching for a full length book and I hope Alexis has some plans to do just that.

[Tali Sanchez · Rating 4 out of 5]

witchy spooky vibes!

I NEED THIS TO BE LONGER!

[Robin Lovett · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an adorable story that’s a delight to read. I love these short stories to tide us over waiting for Alexis Daria’s next full length novel. She writes the hot single dad with the adorable kid and a cool witch heroine who can do actual magic—who also works in a coffee shop, has great friends, and wears hilarious t-shirts. It’s a wonderful little romance that totally deserves a whole book. More please!

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and witchy! I wanted something that would uplift me in just a few minutes, and this absolutely delivered.

[Jenica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very short story and I loved it a lot. I want a full length Alexis Daria novel about witches, tbh.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short but great read.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable! Brought a smile to my face. I only wish it were longer because this is a world (with characters) that I want to spend more time with!

[Alana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get that short stories don't have the luxury of time like even novellas do. But the beautiful character and setting development at the beginning gets curtailed in the last 5 pages by a hasty, deus ex machina ending. I'd like to see even 2 more pages of explanation at the end to round things out. But overall, pretty good, pretty cute.

[Lissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found on radish. 3 parts of 4 are free. Last part cost 6 coins.
I liked this one better than the other radish story. Although this one has a child birthday party in the middle, I thought it relied less on cute kids and more on the adults interacting.

[Alexandra Consolver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! Enjoyed this very short witchy novella.

[Paola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet witchy story.

[Michelle Mendoza-Aguilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute short story. 😄. Oddly enough, I was left wanting more story. I would like the story continued info a full book.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Single Dad, Hot WItch next door. Its the best thing everrrrr

[Eden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful little bite of a story, wish we could have a whole book set in this town because it was fun!

[Zimmy W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very adorable! I honestly want more bruja/witchy stories from Alexis Daria because it was that good.

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Author